Dean Smith challenges Aston Villa to climb Premier League table
Dean Smith challenged Villa to keep climbing the Premier League after they scored at the death to beat relegation rivals Watford.
Ezri Konsa’s 95th minute shot deflected off Tyrone Mings and into the top corner to earn Dean Smith’s men a 2-1 win which catapulted them over the Hornets and out of the relegation zone.
Troy Deeney had earlier put the visitors in front late in the first-half and though Douglas Luiz came off the bench to level for Villa, the match looked destined for a draw until the late drama.
Villa face another fellow struggler, Bournemouth, in their next Premier League game.
“This is the biggest win (of the season) at this moment because it is the latest one,” said Smith. “We just have to take each game as it comes.
“With Watford being in and around us and having beaten us at their place last month I said it would be a different Aston Villa they faced tonight and I thought it was.
“I have said teams of mine usually finish the season better and I am expecting a better points haul over the second half of the season. We have to keep concentrating on the next game and trying to get three points.
“It is about catching the teams above you and overtaking them.”
Konsa wheeled away celebrating after thinking he had netted his first career Premier League goal, only for replays to show the shot had taken a slight nick off Mings on its way past Ben Foster.
“As an ex-centre half I would be claiming it,” said Smith. “It was great all three centre-halves were involved in it.
“Kortney (Hause) won the flick, Tyrone got the next ball and I think it would have been a penalty had we not scored. Ezri’s shot has just deflected slightly off Tyrone.”
